At least 11 people were killed and dozens injured in clashes between police and supporters of an outlawed group in Pakistan-administered Kashmir ahead of a planned protest.
At least 11 people have been killed after violent clashes erupted between police and supporters of an outlawed group in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, according to local officials. Dozens more, including security personnel and civilians, were injured in the unrest.
The violence broke out on Sunday, one day before a planned protest rally scheduled for Tuesday by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a banned group that has previously organised large demonstrations calling for expanded political rights in the region.
Authorities said the clashes followed a Supreme Court ruling in Pakistan-administered Kashmir that upheld the constitutional protection of 12 legislative seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan. The court ruled that these seats cannot be abolished without a formal constitutional amendment.
The decision has intensified tensions with the JAAC, which has long opposed the reserved seats, arguing that they give disproportionate political influence to refugee representatives.
Officials reported that the violence escalated after armed individuals linked to the protest movement allegedly opened fire on security forces in Rawalakot, a city in the region. Security personnel later responded, leading to further clashes across the area.
According to regional police officials, four police officers and one civilian were killed during the initial exchange. Authorities also said six protesters died as security forces moved to disperse the unrest.
Police stated that 23 security personnel and around 50 protesters were injured during the clashes, and that dozens of individuals were arrested in connection with the violence.
Officials also accused protesters of setting fire to property and attacking both government and private facilities, further escalating the situation.
In one incident, protesters reportedly surrounded the Combined Military Hospital in Rawalakot, briefly disrupting medical services before security forces restored order.
JAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir denied the government’s account, accusing the state of excessive force and describing the crackdown as a “massacre” in a video statement shared on social media platform X.
He added that the group remained committed to holding its planned rally despite the violence and arrests.
Authorities say security has since been reinforced across the region as tensions remain high ahead of the upcoming demonstration.
